For Immediate Release
March. 9, 2020
Contact:
Diana Sanchez
(818) 216-5290
VAN NUYS AIRPORT COMPLETES $29.7 MILLION, 14-MONTH
TAXIWAY B REHABILITATION PROJECT
(Van Nuys, CA) Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) announces the successful completion of a $29.7 million, 14-month project to reconstruct Taxiway B at Van Nuys Airport (VNY). Completed on time and on budget, the work extends the taxiway’s pavement life by over two decades, increases safety and meets new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) design standards.
“Van Nuys Airport plays an integral role in our nation’s air transportation system and we are committed to delivering to a gold standard in every aspect of operations, safety and facilities – and the reconstruction of Taxiway B helps us do just that,” said Justin Erbacci, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). “I want to thank our project team, who worked diligently with tenants and the FAA to coordinate project design, phasing and construction in a manner that would minimize operational impacts.”
Reconstruction of the 8,800-foot taxiway was accomplished in nine phases and included full-depth asphalt pavement reconstruction, including taxiway shoulder construction, new markings, installation of LED centerline and edge lights, upgraded signage, new jet blast resistant fencing, and grading and drainage improvements. The project was coordinated and carefully phased to maintain tenant access and to mitigate airfield impacts during the construction. The project required a 73-day shortening of the 8,000-foot Runway 16R/34L, along with a two extended closures of the 4,000-foot Runway 16L/34R (77- and 166-days).
The Taxiway B Rehabilitation Project was managed by LAWA’s internal Planning and Development Group with HNTB Corporation as the engineer of record and Griffith Company as the general contractor. Major challenges faced by the project team included maintaining access for airport tenants during construction, as well as scheduling the runway shortening outside of hot summer and wet winter weather months.
During the project, Runway 16R/34, was shortened for a brief period, but this was scheduled during cooler spring months which mitigated the impacts to the airport users. Closing the 4,000-foot Runway 16L/34R and utilizing it as a temporary taxiway during construction also enabled work to progress more rapidly and decreased aircraft waiting and taxiing times.
The Taxiway B Rehabilitation Project is the first of two federally-funded projects to reconstruct the main north-south taxiways at VNY over three years. The FAA Airport Improvement Program is funding 90% of the construction cost for both projects. Later this month, work will commence on a $35.4 million, 16-month project to rehabilitate Taxiway A, located on the west side of the runways. Overall, the work is needed to rehabilitate taxiway pavements that have deteriorated over time and improve taxiway intersections and shoulder pavement to meet current FAA standards. The project will provide increased airfield safety with major improvements to aircraft operating areas.
VNY is one of two airports owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a self-supporting branch of the City of Los Angeles, governed by a seven-member Board of Airport Commissioners who are appointed by the mayor and approved by the Los Angeles City Council. One of the world's busiest general aviation airports, VNY serves as a valued San Fernando Valley resource, providing ongoing leadership in general aviation, business and community service. Dedicated to non-commercial air travel, VNY had over 260,000 operations in 2018. More than 200 businesses are located on the 730-acre airport, including four major fixed-base operators and numerous aviation service companies. Annually, the airport contributes approximately $2 billion to the Southern California economy and supports over 10,000 jobs.
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